1) Touro Montana Medical School. Construction started on this game-changing project, highlighting a significant year for health care in Great Falls. Benefis Health System opened its new Women's and Children's Health Center. Great Falls College MSU opened its expanded dental hygiene education facility. Great Falls Clinic opened the Legacy Housing facility and began constructing an expansion of its day surgery center. The McLaughlin Research Institute secured a new Executive Director and a major $5 million grant. MSU received an amazing $101 million gift that will fund construction of a College of Nursing in Great Falls and other locations across the state. The Little Shell Tribe opened its Health Center.

2) Housing Production. Farran Realty Partners began construction on the 216-unit Arc Apartment Homes and announced plans in partnership with Benefis Health System for a student medical housing complex adjacent to the Touro Montana Medical School. Beehive Homes opened an 18-bed memory care facility. Big Sky Select Properties completed the 18-unit Northern Lofts development downtown. NeighborWorks Great Falls secured an allocation of tax credits to renovate the downtown Baatz Building to create permanent supported housing. NeighborWorks Great Falls also purchased 123 acres an the edge of Great Falls for future housing development and partnered with GFDA and the Great Falls Association of Realtors to commission a housing market demand assessment.

3) Entrepreneurial Startups. Amongst the many startups that opened in the region this year were Los Tacos de Montana, Glacier Drip Coffee, Image Jewelry Design, Street Burgers, Daydream Boutique, Homegrown Dental, Black Heart Coffee, Game Night Lounge, REP Space, Coulee Cuts, Natural Way Childcare, Rainbow International Restoration, Chief Mountain Coffee, Kaboom Family Fun Center, Kona Ice, N Thai, International Spice District, Carlson Q, and Taqueria Ibarra.

4) Downtown Great Falls. Exciting investments in the heart of the city included the start of renovations on the Civic Center, opening of The Newberry concert and event venue, opening of the Haute Hive Co-Working Space in the renovated Lifestyle Real Estate building, renovation of the Metropolitan Building, opening of The Rendezvous at Four Ten event center, The Wild Hare, Colored Snow, Country Table Restaurant, The Refinery Collective, Be Loved, and Nourish. The City launched three new tax increment financing programs to spur more downtown investment. The Business Improvement District secured funds to install the Wayfinding Plan signage.

5) Commercial Development. Leading companies demonstrated their confidence in the future Great Falls market by investing in new locations and facilities. Love's Travel Stop, Five Guys, Nova Health Clinic, RFP Fitness, Town Pump Express Carwash, and Rocky Mountain Biomet RX opened their first locations in Great Falls. Hub International built a new office in Broadwater Bay. Citizen's Alliance Bank built in West Bank Landing. Independence Bank started construction on a river front building that will also house a True Brew. Starbucks built a new location on the west side and plans to build a new location on 10th Avenue South. Construction started on a City Brew on 10th Avenue South. Howard's Pizza opened a new location. Jersey Mike's is under construction in West Bank Landing. MT Apothecary and Compounding is under construction. Big Iron Truck and RV Wash held a groundbreaking.

6) Agri-Processing. The Calumet Montana Renewables announcement topped a great year for agri-processing growth and diversification in the region. Expansions included AgroLink, Bridge Agri-Partners, and Big Sandy Organics. Mountain Wave Distilling started construction downtown. Karhu Koski Distillery held a groundbreaking. IND Hemp expanded into fiber processing. The Little Shell Tribe purchased land on Hill 57 for a food production project. Sustainable Oils invested into the region.

7) Population Growth. The US Census documented that the Great Falls MSA (Cascade County) population grew by 3,087 people from 2010-2020. Modest growth, but a significant turnaround from the 700 person loss over the previous four decades.

8) Aim High Big Sky. The City of Great Falls secured a $10 million grant from DOD in partnership with Malmstrom AFB and started construction on the $20 million indoor aquatic and recreation facility. Significant investments in local defense facilities continued to be made. Great Falls earned designation as a Great American Defense Community. MAFB Airmen won the Blanchard Trophy for the 4th year in a row.

9) C.M. Russell Museum. The Museum succeeded in its awesome $25 million capital campaign in less than two years and completed a new campus complex. The Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum opened in Great Falls. The Great Falls Voyagers completed its first season in the affiliated Pioneer League.

10) GFDA. In what was a faced-paced hard year, milestones included winning two financial awards from the CDFI Fund, partnering with the University of Montana and the Montana Native Growth Fund to win a competition to create an SBA Women's Business Center, publishing our first professional business attraction and talent attraction videos, launching a new round of brownfield assessments and awarding a series of cleanup grants and loans, launching the 2.0 version of the Live in Great Falls talent attraction website, starting a college intern program, publishing a child care market demand assessment, and beginning a strategic planning project. We closed a record $10,927,961 in gap and bridge loans that will leverage over $45 million of investment in our region. We secured loan capital loans totaling $1.57 million and sold a $250,000 participation to keep pace with loan demand, and secured commitments to borrow another $1 million. We recruited fantastic new team members Staci Campbell, Jake Clark, Jenn Gallmeier, Justin Loch, and Michela Turnquist. We researched and designed a new suite of services to roll out to support existing businesses and startup entrepreneurs. Our economic development efforts were recognized with two state awards, two national awards, and one international award.

It was an exciting year! Thank you to our clients, investors, partners and friends who helped make a tough year into a great one!!

It’s time to register for Ignite 2022 Presented by PayneWest Insurance! This is the go-to annual event that kicks-off the year’s development projects. We’re still accepting speakers. Projects must be starting or opening in 2022. Contact Jake at Jake@GrowGreatFalls.org to share your project. This hybrid event is January 7 at 8 AM either at the Meadow Lark Country Club or via Zoom. Click here to register. Thank you PayneWest Insurance for making this possible!

Happy New Year! Stay warm and be safe out there this weekend.

Connect with me on LinkedIn to network with the Great Falls Montana region. Forward the GFDA Top 10 to friends and colleagues. You can join our distribution list HERE or text GFDA to 22828.

Subscribe to the Grow Great Falls Montana YouTube channel!

Maya Angelou

Here is an updated Growth Highlights for the Great Falls Montana Trade Area. Our Menu of Services and Staff Team handout. Here is our our Quarterly Investor Letter and our GFDA 2021Q3 Quarter Index.

We have two exciting career opportunities for Content Marketing Director/Small Business Adviser, and Resource Director (grant writing). Download job postings and please help spread the word. GFDA has a year-round College Intern Program with five paid internship opportunities. Download application. Help us spread the word!

If your company needs a rail-served, BNSF-Certified, shovel-ready site with all municipal services at your door, we have lots available for immediate construction in the Great Falls AgriTech Park. Contact Jolene Schalper at 1.406.750.4481 or JSchalper@GrowGreatFalls.org

The 25-year loan effective rate came in at 3.023%; 20-year at 2.875%; 10-year equipment loan at 2.793%; and, 20-year refinance 2.889%; 25-year refinance 3.036%. These rates are FIXED for the life of the loan and are inclusive of all fees. If you would like to find out how to get financing for commercial real estate and equipment at potentially lower rates than you're paying for your home mortgage, please contact Jill Kohles at 406-590-1056 or JKohles@GrowGreatFalls.org.

Contact Jenn Gallmeier at 406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org. Here is a current list of our great investors.

The Montana Department of Commerce announced a $500,000 Recovery Destination Event Grant application cycle to assist Montana communities as they re-schedule and plan for new events that will increase non-resident visitor traffic and expenditures. Eligible events could receive grant funding from $5,000 to $25,000 and no match is required. Applications open January 5. Submissions will be reviewed, scored, and awarded until all available funds are awarded or June 1st, whichever occurs first. For information, eligibility criteria, or to view a workshop about the grant cycle, visit the Tourism Grant Program website at MARKETMT.COM. 

The biennial application cycle for the Montana Historic Preservation Grant (MHPG) is now open. Grants are available for public and private entities to support the preservation of historic sites, historical societies, or history museums; this includes “brick-and-mortar” improvements to address various infrastructure, maintenance, building code, security, climate control, or fire protection issues. Funding decisions will be made during the 2023 legislative session. Application and further information here. Application Workshop on January 12 from 3:00 - 4:30 PM. This webinar will provide an overview of the program, timeline, and environmental review process. Register for the webinar here. If applicants have questions, contact the Community Development Division at 406.841.2770 or DOCCDD@mt.gov.

SBA Surety Bond Guarantee Program. Limited or no bonding experience? Difficulty qualifying for bonding? Want to increase your bond limits? Learn how to obtain contract bonds up to $10 million! Contract Bonds & Surety Bond Guarantee Webinar, Thursday, January 6, 1:00 — 2:00 pm Mountain Time. Join on your computer or mobile app. Click here to join the meeting or call in (audio only)

Phone Conference ID: 632 952 297# Hosted by Wyoming District Office, Deb Farris, Deputy District Director, (307) 247-3736 or debra.farris@sba.gov More info contact Surety Bond Denver Area Office -- Jennifer Vigil, Area Director, Jennifer.Vigil@sba.gov or Tamara E. Murray, Marketing Specialist, Tamara.Murray@sba.gov

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has released updated guidance and deadlines for applicants of the COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Supplemental Advances. Click here to read the release and learn more. For anyone having difficulty applying for COVID EIDL relief funds, contact Jason at JNitschke@GrowGreatFalls.org.

Attention female entrepreneurs. The 56Strong Montana Mentorship Program is accepting applications; due December 17. This is a free mentorship program being offered by the Women's Business Center hosted by the Prospera Business Network in Bozeman.

A number of state special business programs using American Rescue Plan funds are rolling out. The Workforce Training Grant Program has been launched by the Montana Department of Commerce and has up to $3,000 per eligible employee available for training expenses by businesses. The Apprenticeship Training Grant Program will be able to reimburse construction-related apprenticeship expenses up to a limit of $3,000. Track all state ARPA economic programs on the state's ARPA website.

December 15 is the deadline for Big Sky Trust Fund Planning Grants that can assist with engineering and design in the planning phase of a project and Big Sky Trust Fund Primary Sector Job Creation grants. You can find more information here. Questions about utilizing these programs? Call Jolene at 406.750.4481.

Attention Small Business doing Government Contracting:  There has been an update to the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). The plans for the next iteration of CMMC which is being call CMMC 2.0 has been released. Like the initial CMMC (which was pilot tested but never implemented) this version has to go through the public comment and rulemaking process and nobody knows what changes will occur to the proposed CMMC 2.0 during those processes. A few proposed changes included in CMMC 2.0 include decreasing certification levels from 5 to 3 and increasing opportunities for (no-cost) self-assessments. While the rulemaking efforts are ongoing, the Department intends to suspend the current CMMC Piloting efforts and will not approve inclusion of a CMMC requirement in any DoD solicitation. The Department encourages contractors to continue to enhance their cybersecurity position during the interim period while the rulemaking is underway.  Please visit the CMMC website and projectspectrum.io to learn more. 

The Montana Department of Agriculture has launched the Agriculture Infrastructure Grant funded by ARPA (the American Rescue Plan Act). The goal of the grant program is to assist with the development of innovative agricultural business improvements. The first step of the grant funding process is to complete to a project proposal. If you'd like help reviewing your proposal before submitting please contact Rich Gannon at RGannon@GrowGreatFalls.org. The project proposal deadline is December 15th. 

The best resource we scan daily to stay abreast of business and community innovation is MATR.net (Montana Associated Technology Roundtables) which we are proud to help sponsor. Sign up for their free newsletter.

The Montana Department of Commerce launched an investment matchmaking website for Montana business projects. The Opportunity Exchange’s - Montana Investment Portal is a website where investors can easily view and connect to projects in the state. Click here to view listed projects. Click here to get your investment project listed on the portal. For help posting your project or property on the Montana Investment Portal, contact Kristian Richardson at 406-841-2032 or Kristian.Richardson@mt.gov.

The Made in Montana Tradeshow for Food & Gifts is scheduled for March 11-12, 2022 in Helena at the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds. 

We've released the Great Falls Childcare Demand Assessment that shows a need for additional childcare facilities to serve 580 children in Great Falls. For assistance with childcare facility business planning, contact Jason Nitschke at JNitschke@GrowGreatFalls.org.

We deliver print copies of the Great Falls Livability talent attraction magazine around town every Friday – if you would like copies of this great recruitment tool, email Soren at Soren@GrowGreatFalls.org.

Montana DPHHS will be accepting one-time Child Care Stabilization grant applications from now until December 31! These funds are meant to stabilize your business coming out of the public health emergency. The process is not competitive and licensed centers are eligible for up to 80-100% of their operating expenses. Go to https://dphhs.mt.gov/arpa/childcare/ and click on “Grants for Licensed & Registered Child Care Programs (Stabilization).” 

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced changes to the COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). Changes include increases to maximum loan amount and expansion in the uses of funds for paying and prepaying existing business debt. If your business is still struggling to stabilize and recover from the pandemic or are seeing new challenges related to the Delta variant, GFDA’s business advisors are here to help. Connect with Jason at JNitschke@GrowGreatFalls.org. Apply for COVID EIDL on the SBA’s website.

Join the Trailing Partner Email Group specifically for employers to share resumes of trailing spouses/partners across the Great Falls region with other employers looking to hire. Connect with Talent Attraction Director Soren to learn about more great talent attraction tools for employers. “Your (Live in Great Falls) website is very impressive and helpful! Great Falls looks amazing, and we love what we've seen real estate-wise, and business-wise.” This quote was from an email sent to us from a couple considering relocation to Great Falls. We will be sharing their resumes (with their permission) on the Trailing Partner Email Group.

Looking to take control of your business’s financials, increase profit, and improve your bottom line? We have had interest from businesses in scheduling a Profit Mastery course. These courses are scheduled by demand. If you are interested in taking this two-day workshop, contact Jason Nitschke at JNitschke@GrowGreatFalls.org or call (406) 750-0314.

Pro-tip: Post positivity! When you’re using Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn and share something positive about Great Falls, tag @LiveinGreatFalls or @GrowGreatFallsMontana. We will like and share your posts. Follow our talent attraction effort, Live in Great Falls, on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, and follow the Great Falls Development Authority to help us attract entrepreneurs and business investment on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

You are facing tough decisions right now. We’ve developed toolkits to help you decide what is best for your business. Toolkits include: Crisis Toolkit, Hibernation Toolkit, Business Resiliency Guide, Re-Opening Toolkit, and a Child Care Whitepaper. All of these can be found on our website.

A new access to capital option for businesses has launched. Crowdfund Montana is an investment crowdfunding platform, affiliated with the national platform Crowdfund Mainstreet, to bring people together to fund good business projects. Unlike traditional crowdfunding, investment crowdfunding allows funders to receive a financial return on their contribution, and in some cases own shares in the companies they are funding. NBC Montana has published this story about the platform's launch.

Visit our relocation website LiveInGreatFalls.com. This website was the #1 request we got from local recruiters and HR professionals for aiding in attracting talented workers to Great Falls. The Great Falls At-A-Glance two-pager is a great complementary resource that highlights Great Falls for people unfamiliar with our community.

We have Brownfield Clean-Up money that we want to put to work! Our low interest Brownfield Loans can be used to clean up hazardous materials including but not limited to lead paint, asbestos, etc. Are you working on a project that could use some clean up? Call Lillian today to discuss eligibility 406.750.1253 or LSunwall@GrowGreatFalls.org.

Manufacturers, if you're not engaged with the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center hosted by MSU, you're missing out on powerful resources, services, and networking. MMEC clients report cost savings of $160.3 million, new investment of $328.4 million, $1.3 billion in new and retained sales, and 6,186 new and retained jobs since 2000. We're proud to host an MMEC business adviser who covers the Golden Triangle region. Contact Doug Roberts at richard.roberts4@montana.edu or (937) 489-3985.

Of our online business planning tool, LivePlan, one said: "LivePlan is Awesome!" The LivePlan tool is helping her streamline her strategy in preparation for presenting to bank partners. We offer LivePlan licenses for free to active clients. Learn more about LivePlan on our website.

All of our recorded monthly business strategy webinars are available online for viewing anytime, click them out here.

For more info, click to our website.